Gavin's guide, on SPOT
Where Action Bronson Ate in the Bay Area
5 spots · San Francisco Bay Area, United States
FTD season 2, episode 10, was spent exploring San Francisco and Oakland. It opens on a soul food breakfast and sweet potato cheesecake at a North Oakland pie counter, then works the Sichuan end of Chinatown for chicken buried under dried red peppers and a Clement Street table of Burmese tea leaf salad. State Bird Provisions sends quail past on carts; Souvla is the fast Greek exit.
#1
Burma Superstar
Inner Richmond, San Francisco Bay Area · Burmese · $$
Action put a Burmese table together on Clement Street and the tea leaf salad is what he came for, tossed at the table with fried garlic, peanuts and lemon. The rainbow salad brings about twenty more things to the same idea. They do not take bookings, so leave your name and walk the block.
Order this
Tea leaf saladRainbow saladSamusa soupPlatha with coconut curry dip
#2
Z & Y Restaurant
Chinatown, San Francisco Bay Area · Chinese · $$
The Sichuan end of Chinatown, where Action ordered the chicken that arrives hidden under a mound of dried red peppers. The bean jelly noodles hum with peppercorn and give you somewhere to go between bites. Ask for water before you think you need it.
Order this
Chicken with Explosive Chili PepperBean jelly noodles
#3
Lois The Pie Queen
North Oakland, San Francisco Bay Area · New American · $$
Action opened the morning at this North Oakland counter with a soul food breakfast and pie waiting behind it. The Reggie Jackson Special puts two fried pork chops next to eggs, grits and biscuits, which sets the tone for the rest of the day. Be there at eight, with cash.
Order this
Reggie Jackson SpecialSweet potato cheesecakeKey lime pie
#4
State Bird Provisions
Western Addition/Fillmore, San Francisco Bay Area · New American · $$$$
Stuart Brioza sent plate after plate past Action's table, most of it arriving on carts the way dim sum does. The fried quail with slow cooked onions and parmesan is the dish the room is named for. Book thirty days out or take your chances at the walk-in counter.
Order this
CA State Bird with ProvisionsGarlic bread with burrataDuck liver mousse with almond financierPork belly salad
#5
Souvla
Hayes Valley, San Francisco Bay Area · Greek · $$
Hayes Valley, Greek rotisserie meat, lamb and pork and chicken pulled off the spit and folded into a wrap. It was the quickest thing Action ate all day and the least complicated. Stay for the frozen yogurt with baklava crumbles and honey.
Order this
Pork wrapLamb saladGreek friesFrozen Greek yogurt with baklava crumbles
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